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The Montana Department of Agriculture manages more than 30 programs, from marketing and business development to licensing and regulating activities to protecting agricultural producers, consumers and the environment. Explore our featured programs below, or use the main menu to browse all MDA programs and services.

Montana Agriculture Resiliency Program Grant - Information

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Program Grant Information

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MT Ag Resiliency Program updates

Additional information and application guidelines will be posted soon.

 

Raising Wheat and Barley in Montana video linkMontana Wheat and Barley Video Series

Get a glimpse into what it takes to raise world-class commodities like wheat, barley, and pulse crops through this new video series brought to you by the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, Montana Pulse Crop Committee, and Specialty Crop Block Program. From planting to harvest, you can check in with Montana farmers in fields across the Big Sky State throughout this year’s growing season.

To see Montana wheat and barley checkoff dollars at work, head over to the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee’s Virtual Experience webpage and check out all of their videos that are being shared with prospective buyers around the world!

 

Computer Based Testing Now Available for Montana Pesticide Applicators

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is providing a new opportunity for pesticide applicators to take exams online through the Metro Insititute Centers. 

"We are excited to provide Montana's applicators with a new opportunity to take their tests online," said Rory Ruffner, Pesticide Licensing, Registration & Training Program Manager at Montana Department of Agriculture. "The Department aims to provide services that are efficient and easy to use and this new online option does exactly that. The challenges of the last year have shown that our applicators are willing to utilize technology and see it as a solution that can help them succeed."

The exams are computer-based and allow for instant exam results and analysis. The cost for online exams taken through Metro Institute is $58. MDA will continue to proctor tests in person and applicators are encouraged to work with staff at their local MDA Field Office to arrange a testing time. 

Click here to sign up for an online pesticide exam through Metro Institute.  Currently testing facilities are available in Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Glendive with more cities to be added in the near future.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

WorkingFromHome

In order to protect our staff and the public, most of the Montana Department of Agriculture’s staff are currently working from home, but can still be reached during normal business hours. The department is conducting in-person business by appointment only. Per the Governor's Directive, masks or face coverings are required for individuals ages five and older in counties with four or more confirmed and active cases of COVID-19.

In order to streamline your request, please consider using the “I want To” tab to find out who to contact directly, view our staff directory, or email your question to agr@mt.gov.

The latest COVID-19 information and resources are available at https://covid19.mt.gov/. Please call 1-888-333-0461 or email covid19info@mt.gov.

Click to view Interim Guidance from the CDC and US Dept. of Labor for Agricultural Workers and Employers. More information related to COVID-19 is available here.

In the Spotlight...

Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee Funds 2021 Projects

22 Feb 2021
Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee Funds 2021 Projects

Nine new projects have received funding from the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee

Nine new projects have received funding from the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee to explore the science and best practices of various aspects of agricultural fertilizer.

The MFAC was created by the Montana Legislature in 1971 to fund education and research programs related to soil fertility and management in the state. The committee comprises seven members appointed by the directors of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and MSU Extension, five who are agricultural producers who use fertilizer in their operations and two representing the fertilizer industry. Scientists with MSU Extension and MAES develop and implement the education and research programs.   

“The MFAC is a critical part of research and advanced understanding of fertilizer use, especially across the diverse landscapes we have in Montana,” said Mary Burrows, associate director of MAES. “The partnerships this committee facilitates and the incredible potential of the field of soil sciences are evidenced by the fantastic array of projects that the committee has made possible this year." 

In addition to its advisory and funding capacity, the MFAC creates and distributes fertilizer fact sheets for producers and the public. Fact sheets can be found on the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences website and are free to download.

Research projects funded by the MFAC for the 2022 fiscal year include:          

  • Replacement of a combustion analyzer for measuring dissolved carbon and nitrogen in MSU’s Environmental Analytical Lab.
  • “Determining Optimal Nitrogen Fertilization of Selected Warm Season Grasses for Yield and Quality,” a project at MSU’s Northwestern Agricultural Research Center in Kalispell.
  • On-farm experiments to optimize site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits, a statewide project.
  • “Do We Need Phosphorus Fertilizer at Depth in No-till Systems?” a project at MSU’s Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre.
  • “Relationship Between Fertility Management and Malt Quality Advance Spring Barley Lines,” an interdisciplinary project between MSU’s Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, the Southern Agricultural Research Center in Huntley and the Northwestern Agricultural Research Center.
  • Funding for a research analytical chemist position in MSU’s Environmental Analytical Lab.
  • “Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization of Dormant to Semi-dormant Alfalfa,” a project at the Northwestern Agricultural Research Center.
  • “Long-term Nitrogen Management in Alternative Crop Rotations,” an interdisciplinary project between the Department of LRES and the Department of Animal and Range Sciences.
  • “Enhancing Nitrogen Fixation in Pea and Lentil through Breeding and Management,” a collaboration between the departments of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and LRES.
  • “Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Wheat Growth and Yield in Response to Increased Starch Biosynthesis,” a project in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology.

More information about the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee can be found at https://agriculture.montana.edu/mfac/index.html.

Buckwheat: A Hazard to Montana’s Export Markets Buckwheat: A Hazard to Montana’s Export Markets Public Meeting Notice: MT Pulse Crop Committee - March 10, 2021 Public Meeting Notice: MT Pulse Crop Committee - March 10, 2021

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  • 22 February 2021
  • Author: Bay, Chelsi
  • Number of views: 375
  • Comments: 0
Categories: NewsFertilizerNatural ResourcesResearch
Tags: Fertilizer fertilizer research montana fertilizer advisory committee
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Welcome!Mike Foster Portrait

Here at the Montana Department of Agriculture, we are honored to support the state’s #1 industry. With over 30 programs ranging from market and business development to licensing and regulating services that protect agricultural producers, consumers and the environment, our website features an abundance of information. We encourage you to explore our programs and contact us if you have ideas about how to improve our department, our services, or our website.

Department Contact Information

Main Phone: (406) 444-3144
Email: Agr@mt.gov
Fax: (406) 444-5409

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Montana Department of Agriculture

 

Montana Department of Agriculture
Phone : (406) 444-3144
E-mail : agr@mt.gov
Fax : (406) 444-5409
302 N Roberts
Helena, MT 59601

Montana Ag by the Numbers

In a state where cattle outnumber people, agriculture is our business. In fact, it is Montana’s number one industry and growing.

$4.6

Billion Industry

26,900

Farms & Ranches

58

Million Acres

1

State Rank in
Organic Wheat
Production